Protests, signs, angry screams, chants and threats of violence; are continuing today. And no I’m not talking about the mid- east, I’m referring to that workers paradise that is Madison, Wisconsin. I hate protests. I don’t even like protesting for things I support. One never goes home from a demonstration with a sense of accomplishment. I vote so I don’t have to demonstrate. The protesters in Madison are proving the old adage that no good deed goes unpunished. The states and feds have been caving to unions like the National Educators Association (NEA) for so long, that their members now have way overblown senses of entitlement. In the face of a dire financial crises, the Wisconsin voters chose a governor on the basis that he would takes steps to cut the state budget. Various unions (particularly the teachers union) are now objecting to the state’s re-budgeting on the basis that it cuts too deeply into their benefits, even though private sector benefits and pensions are experiencing even greater hits.
While the state of Wisconsin is doing what it can to protect existing jobs, the money to keep all those benefits going out simply doesn’t exist! One union rep spoke nebulously this morning about upper class citizens (who he claimed contribute nothing), paying their fair share. When questioned by the host conducting the interview as to who these tax free wealthy were, he was of course unable to produce any names or numbers. It didn’t stop him from stumbling on with his rant however. Personally I’m sick to death of the same old class warfare. We as a society have got to stop giving into the loud and obnoxious minority that makes demands on the rest of us. The fact is the Wisconsin electorate chose a government that would work to bring the state’s financial house in order. It is a comparatively small group demanding that the wishes of the majority be ignored on the basis of its own sense of entitlement.
I’m sure the Wisconsin demonstrations will not be the last. As the economy continues to suffer, more and more states are going to be forced to reduce costs, this is going to mean jobs and benefits lost. But we cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated by union terrorism. If the question is between whether or not the NEA gets paid or my son eats, guess what… He’s going back for seconds!
In the last twenty four hours or so I have found myself filled with a mix of grief and absolute frustration by the events in Arizona and the subsequent attempts to assign blame.
Is Governor Perry Going to Run for President?
May 23rd, 2011Is another Texas governor going to seek the presidency in 2012? Reports were trickling out last week that Governor Perry may seek the Republican nomination for president. In a race that thus far, promises to be populated largely by governors, Perry would constitute another moderate southerner (which means relatively conservative in today’s political climate), with a solid chance winning the party’s nod.
The electorate typically tends to favor governors being promoted to the Whitehouse. Of the last eight presidents, five have been former governors. It seems that, for the most part, voters are most comfortable with strong executives holding the highest post in the land, rather than legislators, whose stock in trade tends to be compromise and deal making. If the Texas governor did enter the race he would be one of a crowded field of State executives running, or who have considered running. They include the following names: Tim Pawlenty(MN) running, Mitt Romney (MA), running, Sarah Palin (AK), considering run, Mitch Daniels (IN) just decided not to run, and Mike Huckabee, (AR) who also decided not to run. In addition to these potential candidates, are popular favs, who, were they to enter the race, would probably inspire a ground swell of popular conservative support. They also happen to be governors and include names like: Bobby Jindal, (LA) and Chris Christy (NJ).
Reports of whether or not Mr. Perry will throw his name into the race are still sketchy, but in recent years Texas voters seem interested in a change. Even republicans are dubious of their governor’s conservative credentials, despite his attempt to shore them up around election time. Perry’s victory over Bill White last year was more of a vote against the contender than it was a wholesale endorsement of the incumbent. A move on the nomination would potentially do a couple of things for the Texas Governor. First, it may reunite his base at home with the prospect of another Texan running for President. Secondly, it would be an opportunity for upward mobility in an election year when the nation is again going to be largely concerned with voting against an unpopular incumbent. And lastly it would provide a capstone to a political career that will otherwise, likely end with this term in office.
Would I vote for the governor’s promotion? Not sure. He certainly has accomplishments to his credit, but there are certainly other candidates I’d like to see whose conservatism I find more authentic, and who are more willing to fight in a sure to be contentious campaign. As a Texan, I’m generally prone to support our candidates when they go national, but I have to be a purest on this one. I will support Governor Perry if he wins the nomination, but until then, I’ll have to hold out a while and see how the field shapes up. At the end of the day I’ll be surprised if Mr. Perry takes the plunge. The public mood seems to want something new and different. Personally, I think the governor looks too much like an establishment candidate. But that’s just me…
Tags: Bobby jindal, Conservative Support, Contender, Election Time, Electorate, Favs, Governor Perry, Ground Swell, Mike Huckabee, Mitch Daniels, Mitt Romney, Political Climate, Republican Nomination, Sarah Palin, Southerner, State Executives, Texas Governor, Texas Voters, Tim Pawlenty, Tyler Texas, Whitehouse
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